Under the S-Line Study
The Under the S-Line Conceptual Design Study explores how a major rail investment in Downtown Raleigh could create new opportunities for public space and community connections.
Developed as a student-led project with the NC State University Pappas Real Estate Development Program in partnership with Downtown Raleigh Alliance, the study examines how the space beneath a planned elevated rail corridor in Downtown Raleigh could be transformed into an active and welcoming urban environment.
View the Study (Released Fall 2025)
Note: The S-Line Rail Project is a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) initiative. DRA and NCSU Pappas Program are not affiliated with NCDOT. NCDOT was coordinated with through the course of this conceptual design study, however NCDOT is the only official source for information and timelines related to the overall S-Line project.
What is the S-Line Rail Project?
The S-Line Raleigh-to-Richmond Passenger Rail Project is a NCDOT-led major rail project that will enhance passenger rail service between Raleigh and Richmond, VA. The corridor is part of a broader effort to improve rail connections across the Southeast and strengthen links to Washington, D.C.
As part of the project, an 18-mile segment between Raleigh Union Station in Downtown Raleigh and Wake Forest will be rebuilt for passenger rail. In Downtown Raleigh, this project with add two new tracks along N. West Street parallel to the existing Norfolk Southern line. Three blocks of that new track, between Jones Street and Peace Street, will take the form of a "rail viaduct" creating a continuous stretch of a bridge-like condition with the rail line elevated on concrete piers and open space below.
This raises an important question how that space under the rail line will be used. Without a plan, this area could become underutilized. With thoughtful design, it could become a new public space that connects neighborhoods and enhances the downtown experience.
The Challenge and the Opportunity
To explore this opportunity, Downtown Raleigh Alliance partnered with the NC State University Pappas Real Estate Development Program as well as other area stakeholders including the City of Raleigh and and Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative to study how the space beneath the future rail viaduct could serve the community.
The student team was given a simple challenge: how might the space under the S-Line strengthen connectivity, public life, and resilience in Downtown Raleigh?
Rather than viewing the rail infrastructure as a barrier, the study explores how it could become an asset, creating shaded outdoor space, new pedestrian connections, and opportunities for community activity in a rapidly growing part of downtown.
The "Under the S-Line" Study
The NC State team approached the project through research, analysis, and design exploration.
The team studied the corridor along North West Street, evaluating land use, nearby residents, mobility connections, and access to parks and green space. The analysis found the corridor sits between two fast-growing districts, Glenwood South and Smoky Hollow, with limited nearby recreational space.
Students examined successful projects from around the world where spaces beneath rail lines and highways have been transformed into parks, recreation areas, and community spaces. Using these insights, the team developed conceptual design ideas for how the corridor could support public activity while addressing challenges such as heat, mobility, and connectivity.
The study also included conversations with local stakeholders, including City of Raleigh staff, NCDOT representatives, and downtown partners.
The Result
The final study outlines a conceptual vision for transforming the space beneath the rail corridor into an active public realm.
Key ideas include:
- New Public Space - the shaded environment beneath the structure could support comfortable outdoor areas, with trees and green infrastructure helping reduce urban heat.
- Better Connections - the corridor could function as a pedestrian-friendly spine linking surrounding neighborhoods and improving access across the rail line.
- Community Activity - concepts explored in the study include spaces for recreation, gathering, and everyday neighborhood use, turning underutilized infrastructure space into a civic amenity.
While conceptual, the study provides ideas that can help guide future planning as the S-Line project moves forward.
Note: These design ideations are conceptual and have not been endorsed, adopted, or targeted for funding by either NCDOT or the City of Raleigh.
Explore the Full Study
Completed in Fall 2025, the Under the S-Line Conceptual Design Study includes detailed research, site analysis, and conceptual design ideas for the corridor beneath the future rail line.
Download the Study (Released Fall 2025)
Why This Matters
Downtown Raleigh is growing rapidly. Thousands of new residents have moved into nearby neighborhoods such as Glenwood South and Smoky Hollow, bringing new energy, housing, and activity to the city’s core. As this growth continues, access to high-quality public space, walkable connections, and community amenities becomes increasingly important.
At the same time, major infrastructure projects like the Raleigh–Richmond S-Line Passenger Rail Project are reshaping parts of the downtown landscape. While these investments strengthen regional mobility and economic connectivity, they also create new urban spaces that require thoughtful planning.
The Under the S-Line study explores how this infrastructure investment could do more than move trains. With the right vision, the corridor beneath the rail line could become a place that supports public life, improves connections between neighborhoods, and contributes to a more resilient and vibrant downtown.
By exploring these possibilities early, the study helps inform future conversations about how infrastructure projects can create lasting value for the community.
What Is Next
The Under the S-Line Conceptual Design Study is intended to spark ideas and inform future planning as the Raleigh–Richmond S-Line Passenger Rail Project continues to advance.
Because the rail corridor will be designed and constructed over multiple phases, there will be future opportunities for the City of Raleigh, North Carolina Department of Transportation, community partners, and downtown stakeholders to explore how the space beneath the rail structure could be programmed and improved.
The ideas presented in this study are conceptual, but they highlight how early coordination between transportation planning and urban design can help ensure that major infrastructure investments also create lasting public benefits for surrounding neighborhoods and downtown Raleigh as a whole.
As planning for the S-Line continues, this study provides a starting point for future conversations about how the corridor can contribute to a more connected, active, and welcoming downtown.
Note: The S-Line Raleigh-to-Richmond Passenger Rail Project is a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) initiative. Official information and timelines related to the project, including further design, property impacts, and construction details, will come from NCDOT.